From the Wire … Cubs Outright Four Players Off 40-man Roster

According to multiple reports, the Cubs made four 40-man roster moves on Thursday. The Cubs outrighted RHP Marcos Mateo, RHP Miguel Socolovich, RHP Jason Berken and infielder Adrian Cardenas off of the 40-man roster and assigned them to Triple-A Iowa. The moves free up four spaces on the Cubs’ 40-man roster which currently stands at 37 players.

Anthony Recker was claimed off waivers by the Mets a day after being designated for assignment by the Cubs to make room on the 40-man roster for RHP Carlos Gutierrez.

More roster moves are on the horizon for the Cubs. Ian Stewart, Matt Garza, Arodys Vizcaino and Blake Parker are still on the 60-day DL and the Cubs have only three open spots. Shawn Camp, who the Cubs are interested in bringing back, will become a free agent after the World Series and open a spot on the roster.

Marcos Mateo spent the entire season on the DL first with a sore right elbow then was transferred to the 60-day DL with ulnar neuritis. Mateo did not count against the 40-man roster for a majority of the season. The Cubs claimed Miguel Socolovich off waivers from the Orioles on August 23 and finished the year in the Cubs pen while dealing with arm soreness. Jason Berken was also claimed off waivers from the Orioles (September 7) and finished the year in the rotation. Adrian Cardenas hit the cover off the ball but struggled at the big league level in limited playing time.